Saturday, December 24, 2016

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers allDo you hear what I hear?Ringing thru the web, Bloggers allDo you hear what I hear?

A song, a songWith a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition And For Sharing. Sharing is what Christmas is all about!I enjoyed each and every one of your carolsI listened to all the beautiful arrangementsand I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songssung by a choir ofGenealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,Blog Caroling!

Below Are The Great Blog Caroling Carolers!

It so good to see so many familiar faces and some new friends as well.

Janice Brown said...fM, always wonderful to participate in your annual Blog Caroling. Janice Webster Brown, Cow Hampshire, sings "This Time of Year," (Etta James Version) "You have no idea the joy it brings just to see your name."

Susan Clark of Nolichucky Roots, brings us joy with a side of Harry Belafonte singing "Mary's Boy Child." "Susan, thank you! I feel the same way about you. I'm looking forward to a white Christmas, but when the white runs out I'll drink the red."

Melissa Barker of A Genealogist In The Archives, and most of us are, is a first timer to Blog Caroling. So let's welcome her as she carols, "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." "It's really beginning to feel like Christmas."

John Newmark ofTransylvanianDutch introduces us to David Bowie & Bing Crosby performing Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth. "So good to see you John! Merry Christmas." P.S. I never knew David and Bing sang together!

Randy Clark, another Facebook friend, carols "Hallelujah" - Christmas version by Cloverton.mp3.And last, but by no means least, is everyone's favorite, Dear Myrt. Pat has opted for quiet tones in "Still, Still, Still." And it is thanks to Pat and Denise Levenick for saving Blog Caroling last year. They kept the tradition alive. Merry Christmas and love to you both.

Merry Christmas To All and To All A Goodnight.

And Thank You For An Amazing Blog Caroling 2016

Trivia:

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,Christmas-season religious songs.

Caroling, also known as wassailing, actually began in medieval times as a pagan ritual. The wassail, a hot beverage usually made with hot ale or mulled cider, was a ritual honoring the apple and fruit orchards in the dead of winter. Farmers went from farm to farm pouring wassail on the roots of trees while making a lot of noise to scare off the bad spirits responsible for making the days shorter and colder. Eventually the custom of going door to door singing and drinking became a Christmas tradition. (This is one of the many versions of the story of caroling, but all agree it is rooted in pagan ritual.)

Carols were formerly sung at large Christmas feasts and family dinners, in the open air on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and at the time of public worship in the churches on Christmas Day.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a carol."

After a pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Good Bloggers All This Christmastime

The Wexford Carol("Good People All, This Christmastime")(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

I am totally predictable. To Blog Carol I have selected the same song I sing every year, probably the best known of Irish Christmas songs (and my very favorite carol), "The Wexford Carol." I love this carol!

The Wexford Carol has roots reaching back to twelfth century Ireland, traceable to the proximity of the County and town of Wexford. The Wexford Carol was included in The Oxford Book of Carols and tells the story of the birth of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Christmas carols were rare in Ireland, but County Wexford has a 300 year tradition of handing down carols from generation to generation. Families in the area were each entrusted with a carol and with sharing that particular carol with the generations. During Christmas the carols were sung in the homes of these families and in the church by the choir. The choir consisted of six men who sang the carols unaccompanied.

Please sing along with this beautiful rendition; YoYo Ma and Allison Krauss performing The Wexford Carol.

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go”, the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

Merry Christmas

I hear you singing, my friends. How I love Blog Caroling!!What a joyous noise we will makewhen we all come together to sing-along.

Remember, you have until midnight inHawaii, Today, to sing-along!

We will assemble Friday, December 23to tour all the Caroling Blogs and faceBook pages!

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Thursday, December 22, on this blog and Facebook. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog or post to Facebook your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Thursday, 22 December. Post a note to the comments for this article or on Facebook directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below or on Facebook.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Blog Caroling Badge above.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Do you Hear What I Hear?

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers allDo you hear what I hear?Ringing thru the web, Bloggers allDo you hear what I hear?

A song, a songWith a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition And For Sharing. Sharing is what Christmas is all about!I enjoyed each and every one of your carolsI listened to all the beautiful arrangementsand I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songssung by a choir ofGenealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,Blog Caroling!

Open The Great Blog Caroling Songbook!

Select the name of the Blog, person or carol to sing along.

This year Mr. Maven has asked to join Blog Caroling. His favorite carol is Chuck Berry's Run Run Rudolph found here on YouTube. I think he has the Christmas Spirit.

DearMYRTLE's contribution to footnoteMaven's Tradition of Blog Caroling
2014 includes the thought: "...and become as little children..." Pat Richley Erickson directs us to the video of PS22 school children singing." All little children.

Dawn Kogutkiewicz tells us she posted the same song as Dear Myrt along with her Christmas wish for peace.

Heather Wilkinson Rojo at Nutfield Genealogy is singing, "Over the River and Through the Woods."Thanks for hosting Blog Caroling again this year, FM!" It's my pleasure Heather.

Denise Olson, AKA Moultrie Creek, says it looks like we've got a long cold winter ahead of us so this year she chose I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm as my contribution to fM's caroling festivities. And we send you some extra love Denise, just in case you need it. Merry Christmas from us all!

Jennifer of Irish Eyes, writes - "Dear footnoteMaven, So very glad to see your tradition of Blog
Carolling again this year. Hoping all is well with you. I posted my blog
carol this past Saturday, but would be honoured to be included among
those carolling along with you. Happy Christmas to you and yours!" The honor is all ours Love! Listen to her carol here.

Janet Iles, Janet the Reseacher, selected Candelight Carol.
It is a contemporary carol. I agree Janet, it's so difficult to pick a favorite. I love listening to all of you.

Cheri Hudson Passey, Carolina Girl Genealogy, directs us to a family tradition and now a blog caroling tradition. Only one more sleep till Christmas.

Kristin of Finding Eliza's carol for this year is Silent Night by Sweet Honey in the Rock. And it gives you a great deal to contemplate. Peace on Earth, Kristin.

Ginger Farnsworth - I am not a blogger but so want to join the caroling. I've
just posted this one on my Facebook page and am dedicating it this year
to all of the animal rescue volunteers in our area. It is a favorite of
mine. Ginger is a Facebook friend and you can find her favorite right here on YouTube.

Ah, the beautiful Gini of Ginisology, celebrates her heritage - "My all time favorite each and every year for your Blog Caroling is Silent Night in German over at Ginisology ~ Merry Christmas and Happy
Holidays to you all" Merry Christmas to you and yours, Gini.

Vickie of Be Not Forgot has a most interesting post for Blog Caroling. "God Didn't Choose Sides goes back 150 years . . . and includes three Christmas songs . . ."

Amanda Pape at ABT UNK - one of my favorite carols is "Emmanuel" - Merry Christmas, everyone! A Very Merry Christmas, Amanda. This was absolutely beautiful.

Lisa Gorrell of My Trails Into The Past, carols The Twelve Days of Christmas! I love the carol, but never get those twelve days just right. Maybe next year.

Reflections From The Fence and the amazing Carol A. Bowen Stevens brings us a fourpeat. Love it just as much this year. The Little Drummer Boy. Deborah Hart Stock, our own over-achiever gives usThe 50 Best Versions Of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." And we certainly are! Now this is absolutely amazing, from Denise Anderson-Decinaher favorite from Pentatonix, Carol of the Bells.Georgia Genealogist is also in love with Pentatonix and has chosen The Little Drummer Boy, as you've never heard it before. Yvonne, perfect!Kim Cotton isn't seeing visions of sugar plums as she Blog Carols. No, she's seeing soup. The weekly Noon Pacific mixtape.Sherry Stocking Kline, The Family Tree Writer, is caroling "Baby It's Cold Outside." And yes it is, Sherry. Bet the smile on your Mom's face is warming the room up though.Joy To The World, from Tina Sansone brings to a close this year's Blog Caroling.

Merry Christmas To All and To All A Goodnight.

And Thank You For An Amazing Blog Caroling Book

Trivia:

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

Caroling,
also known as wassailing, actually began in medieval times as a pagan
ritual. The wassail, a hot beverage usually made with hot ale or mulled
cider, was a ritual honoring the apple and fruit orchards in the dead
of winter. Farmers went from farm to farm pouring wassail on the roots
of trees while making a lot of noise to scare off the bad spirits
responsible for making the days shorter and colder. Eventually the
custom of going door to door singing and drinking became a Christmas
tradition. (This is one of the many versions of the story of caroling,
but all agree it is rooted in pagan ritual.)

Carols
were formerly sung at large Christmas feasts and family dinners, in the
open air on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and at the time of
public worship in the churches on Christmas Day.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In
Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of
an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a
large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to
drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a
carol."

After a
pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting
silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women
sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The
story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there
was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Monday, December 22, 2014

Good Bloggers All This Christmastime

The Wexford Carol("Good People All, This Christmastime")(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

To Blog Carol I have selected probably the best known of Irish Christmas songs (and my very favorite carol), "The Wexford Carol." The Wexford Carol has roots reaching back to twelfth century Ireland, traceable to the proximity of the County and town of Wexford. The Wexford Carol was included in The Oxford Book of Carols and tells the story of the birth of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Christmas carols were rare in Ireland, but County Wexford has a 300 year tradition of handing down carols from generation to generation. Families in the area were each entrusted with a carol and with sharing that particular carol with the generations. During Christmas the carols were sung in the homes of these families and in the church by the choir. The choir consisted of six men who sang the carols unaccompanied.

Please sing along with this beautiful rendition; YoYo Ma and Allison Krauss performing The Wexford Carol.

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go”, the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

Merry Christmas

I hear you singing, my friends. How I love Blog Caroling!!What a joyous noise we will makewhen we all come together to sing-along.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

fM's Tradition Of Blog Caroling

Yes,
Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From
the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and
furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Monday, December 22. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

Blog Carol between today and Tuesday, 23 December. Post a note to the comments for this article directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Blog Caroling Songbook Badge above.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

He Died While Serving Us All!

I am a graduate of Esther High School, Esther, Missouri. There were 53 people in my graduating class and about 300 in our entire school. I knew everyone in our graduating class, the entire school, and in some cases was related to them.

Out of those 53 students two were killed in Vietnam. I toured the Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial and found one of them, Delbert Reese, the boy who sat next to me in Mrs. Simmons' English class.

He was very shy, at least around me. He had a great laugh and a brilliant smile. I remember him as always being happy. We both belonged to the Scribblers Club, the club for writers, and had been in the school play together.

School in a small town during the sixties was very different than it is today. I remember Mrs. Simmons sent Delbert home from school with a note to his parents. He wasn't to come back to school until he got a hair cut. He was sporting a Fonzy hairdo and the twist hung down to his nose and covered his eyes. He went home, he got a buzz cut, he didn't object, his parents didn't object, and he returned to school. Could that happen today?

I looked back through my yearbook and wondered, "Was I ever really that young?" And then I looked at Delbert, who will be that young forever. For his sacrifice he deserves so much more than this simple blog post, so I am very grateful we have the Vietnam Memorial and that his name is there.